Interleukin-1β inhibits synthesis of 5-lipooxygenase in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated equine whole blood

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. It induces the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) catalyzed by cyclooxygenase (COX) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (m-PGES). Besides its pro-inflammatory properties, PGE2 also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting synthesis of 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO) products which are in themselves, pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, inhibition of 5-LO products is beneficial in regulating immune-responses and pro-inflammatory processes. To investigate the hypothesis that IL-1β is responsible for the increase in the synthesis of PGE2 and in the reduction of 5-LO products, equine whole blood (EWB) was treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vitro treatment of EWB with LPS resulted in increased expression of IL-1β while expression of 5-LO was suppressed. Quantification of eicosanoids using liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry/multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MS/MRM) showed increased concentrations of prostaglandins and decreased 5-LO products in LPS-treated EWB. Pretreatment of EWB with IL-1β followed by calcium ionophore A23187 (CI) reduced synthesis of 5-LO products. However, pretreatment of EWB with COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) or m-PGES-1 inhibitor (CAY 10526) and IL-1β followed with CI resulted in a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in 5-LO products. Pretreatment of EWB with phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122) followed with LPS reduced PGE2 production but increased 5-LO products. The result of this study indicated that increased PGE2 production led to reduction in 5-LO products in LPS-treated EWB via IL-1β. However, other pathways, cytokines and mediators may be involved in inhibiting 5-LO products but the present study did not include those other potential pathways. Inhibition of 5-LO products by PGE2 in EWB may regulate the initiation and pathogenesis of inflammatory responses in the horse.